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Tuesday, 20 April 1999
Page: 3955


Senator Robert Ray asked the Minister for Family and Community Services, upon notice, on 9 March 1999:

(1) What has been the total cost to the department in the 1997-1998 financial year of legal advice obtained from the Attorney-General's Department.

(2) What has been the total cost to the department in the 1997-1998 financial year of legal advice obtained by the department from other sources.


Senator Newman (Family and Community Services; Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Status of Women) —The answer to the honourable senator's question is as follows:

(1) The total cost to the Department in 1997-1998 financial year of legal advice obtained from the Attorney-General's Department was $412,553.00. This figure includes advice sought on behalf of Centrelink for the period 1 July 1997 to 30 November 1997. On 1 December 1997 the Department and Centrelink commenced paying for contractual legal services provided to each, separately.

(2) The total cost to the Department in the 1997-1998 financial year of legal advice obtained by the Department from other sources was $210,398.00. This figure includes advice sought on behalf of Centrelink for the period 1 July 1997 to 30 November 1997. On 1 December 1997 the Department and Centrelink commenced paying for contractual legal services provided to each, separately.